Storing TPS

ejones1961 · March 21, 2013

How is the best way to store true potato seed? How long can they be stored for?

**Tom Wagner** · March 21, 2013

Quote:

How is the best way to store true potato seed?

Cool, dry and out of the light.

I store TPS in simple Ziplock plastic bags.

Quote:

How long can they be stored for?

With the cool weather around Seattle, I can store TPS longer than I could in Bakersfield, CA. Avoid storage facilities if they are subject to becoming ovens during the summer months reaching temps in the 90's and higher.

My TPS, especially those in sales, are typically months old to around 9 years in age.

Potato Introduction Project (IR-1), Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

Quote:

Seed... TPS...was stored at 1–3°C after drying to about5% moisture content. Several species exhibited high percentages of germination after 20 to 28 years of storage. Many other species also demonstrated no major decrease in germination during storage periods of 8 to 20 years.

A few years ago I was able to get germination from TPS of the above source that was grown in 1959.

ejones1961 · March 21, 2013

Thanks. Thats impressive they be stored for so long. Do you recommend storing in a freezer or just somewhere cool.

**Tom Wagner** · March 21, 2013

Have you ever had an electric power outage? I have had them so often in my lifetime that I just won't try to freeze seed again. For short term it is OK and the new sealing materials are much better than in the old days.

For my purposes...cool and dry is good enough for me.

wingnut · March 22, 2013

Like Tom says cool and dry. I would put them into a jar with a dessicant to keep them from haveing fluctuations in moisture.

Fusion_power · March 31, 2013

I'm in the deep south. I store tomato and potato seed in my deep freeze in sealed containers with dessicant. If you have any questions at all whether you might lose power for more than 3 days, then it is best if they are in a sealed glass jar. Kilner jars are best for this use.

DarJones

Medbury Gardens · April 1, 2013

Quote:

Seed... TPS...was stored at 1–3°C after drying to about5% moisture content. Several species exhibited high percentages of germination after 20 to 28 years of storage. Many other species also demonstrated no major decrease in germination during storage periods of 8 to 20 years.

Thats a long time, was that seed you germinated from 1959 TPS stored at 1–3°C

**Tom Wagner** · April 1, 2013

Yes, that 1959 seed was stored at an optimal temperature. I will do a bit of research and document that.

March 21, 2013	#1
ejones1961 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: martin, tn Posts: 15	Storing TPS How is the best way to store true potato seed? How long can they be stored for?

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March 21, 2013	#4
Tom Wagner Crosstalk™ Forum Moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: 8407 18th Ave West 7-203 Everett, Washington 98204 Posts: 1,157	Have you ever had an electric power outage? I have had them so often in my lifetime that I just won't try to freeze seed again. For short term it is OK and the new sealing materials are much better than in the old days. For my purposes...cool and dry is good enough for me.

March 22, 2013	#5
wingnut Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: bald hill area thurston county washington Posts: 312	Like Tom says cool and dry. I would put them into a jar with a dessicant to keep them from haveing fluctuations in moisture.

March 31, 2013	#6
Fusion_power Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,250	I'm in the deep south. I store tomato and potato seed in my deep freeze in sealed containers with dessicant. If you have any questions at all whether you might lose power for more than 3 days, then it is best if they are in a sealed glass jar. Kilner jars are best for this use. DarJones

April 1, 2013	#8
Tom Wagner Crosstalk™ Forum Moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: 8407 18th Ave West 7-203 Everett, Washington 98204 Posts: 1,157	Yes, that 1959 seed was stored at an optimal temperature. I will do a bit of research and document that.